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Post by myrtle999 on Apr 5, 2011 14:57:35 GMT
Hi,
Just lately when I have been letting Myrtle out for a walkabout, whilst seeing to her tank, she has started heading straight for Roger, house bunny, and Marmalade, Guinea Pig, who tend to hang out on Roger's duvet and where the food is. Last night after cleaning Myrtle's plants in the kitchen, I returned to the lounge to find Roger dozing on his duvet, Marmalade munching on rabbit food, and Myrtle eating Roger's pear also on the duvet!! Is it ok for the animals to interact like this, or might Myrtle suddenly attack one of them. She won't try to eat them will she?? Roger is deaf and I wouldn't want him to be scared or upset, but I did stay and observe them for a while, as Myrtle seemed very content and happy and seemed to enjoy the company. Myrtle is very chilled out and quite happy to be handled, and out of her tank, but I just want to know if it is ok for her to socialise like this or should I keep her separate to them. Also could she give any illnesses to them or could they give anything to her?
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Post by wayne020668 on Apr 5, 2011 19:41:22 GMT
hi these animals are very sociable and mixing these with cats dogs and any other house pets is fine if they get on... some wont for a range of reasons but yours seems to be fine, anyone else thinking of mixing these animals please ensure you keep a very good eye on them for quite a while... one dog might be friendly another wont be.. ( i know some people like that ) anyway.... turtles & terrapins are very inquisitive and will get up to all sorts of adventures and mischief if you let them but they can be fun, i spend so much time watching these animals now trying to understand them and their behavior and after almost 21yrs I'm still learning, they can and will hide in their shells if something is wrong but if your mixing turtles with other animals please beware that some other pets can still cause serious damage, if your other pets are having fun then keep it up but its not everyones cup of tea. a happy turtle is a fun loving turtle and will offer you things you would otherwise not see... as for spreading any illness i would air on the side of caution if one of your pets is ill for any reason then not letting them play for a while would be better for all cocerned...  regards wayne.. |
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Post by myrtle999 on Apr 5, 2011 23:11:54 GMT
Thanks Wayne, that's put my mind at rest. I guess the fact that Myrtle was chomping on Roger's pear is a good indication that she was very comfortable. Was very funny actually like they had all gone to lunch together!! Am sure a disabled house bunny and guinea pig will not harm Myrtle in any way, but was concerned she might bite them. Myrtle goes out a couple of times a week and does like climbing on boxes, and seems to enjoy pulling the paper out of the printer which sits under the table that her tank is on, so I just keep minimal in now so she can amuse herself with it.
Julie and Myrtle
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Post by rugby128 on Apr 19, 2011 15:28:48 GMT
Hi
is there a way to encourage my turtles out of their shells? when i take them out of their tank they just seem to sit there in the shell for ages. Is there somneting I'm doing wrong, or is it just a matter of bearing with it and eventually it will happen?
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Post by wayne020668 on Apr 19, 2011 15:55:13 GMT
hi ruby nice to hear from you... turtles will retreat to the safety of their shell when afraid, it's very important to handle them as much as you can within reason, when i say this i don't mean all day everyday but handling them 10 minutes here and there and letting them to roam around when ever you can is better than an hour once a week, by doing this you will find they will get used to the noises, you and the new surroundings...  you need to remember most of these animals will only ever see you and anything else from the safety of this tank all there lives so it can be a frightening step.  the rewards are very worth while if you can and keep this up, my 3 old son has one terrapin that will actually try to find him and knows the difference from him to me and my other son its very funny and they can be a more than just a nice animal in a tank, try handling him / her and brush them with an old tooth brush on both the shell and legs like having a wash... try moving around from room to room with it letting it know its a big world out there but its safe with you... you will see after a little time and care from you it will adventure around more exploring and wondering where you are. hope this helps you to get the most from your little critter as we do here.... oh one word of warning... please keep an eye on them if roaming as these animals are very cunning and will hide almost anywhere and try to keep them away from any cables... regards Wayne.. |
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Post by turtlegirl on Apr 20, 2011 21:52:21 GMT
Wayne is absolutely right, they just need time. When I first started taking my tiny babies out of their tank they hid in their shells for up to an hour. Now that they are used to being taken out daily for fresh air and exercise in the garden, they have not only come out of their shells but after 2 weeks they are crawling all over the plastic crate they sunbathe in and even climbing all over each other. Just one word of warning -turtles and tortoises are great escape artistes. They can also move surprisingly fast on dry land and climb out of almost anything that doesn't have a secure lid; they can easily climb over obstacles up to 4 times as high their shell length  and even go down 14 steps (mine did, even small ones 12 cm long). If you take them out either watch them carefully ALL the time or better still put them in a secure cage or pen, especially if taken outside.  |
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you need to remember most of these animals will only ever see you and anything else from the safety of this tank all there lives so it can be a frightening step. 
and even go down 14 steps (mine did, even small ones 12 cm long). If you take them out either watch them carefully ALL the time or better still put them in a secure cage or pen, especially if taken outside. 